Times of joy and celebration in Bethlehem for Christmas 2021
By: Cécile Leca/ lpj.org
BETHLEHEM – Despite the absence of pilgrims during the end of the year due to health restrictions, a spirit of celebration and joy have illuminated this Christmas of 2021, marked by the presence of many local Christians who came to attend the celebrations.
It all started with the scouts' parade. Dressed in their best uniforms, they made the streets of Bethlehem vibrate with their musical instruments: trumpets, drums, clarinets... Some groups even had majorettes, who distinguished themselves by twirling their batons. Then, around 12:30 pm, His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem entered the city and walked down Star Street under the acclamations and showers of confetti.
St. Catherine then echoed with the songs of vespers and prayers said during the first procession to the Grotto of the Nativity. The celebrations continued at 11:30 pm, with the beginning of the midnight Mass... although people began to fill the church as soon as the doors opened, more than two hours before! And although the pilgrims are missing, there still won't be enough seats for everyone.
At midnight, the bells ring throughout the church. Christ is born! Unveiled to the faithful, He is placed in the manger at the foot of the altar. Then follows the homily: before the entire assembly, which included the Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and his delegation, His Beatitude Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa addresses his message of peace and hope to the Christians of the Holy Land. "I met people who know how to be active and constructive and who, although aware of the enormous difficulties in which they live, never cease to believe that something beautiful can be done for themselves and for others, without cultivating feelings of hatred and rancor. I am convinced that these are the ones who concretely build the Kingdom of God in our midst and that every day, not only today, they live the true spirit of Christmas: making space within themselves for the true Source of life and being themselves full of that life" …
This news was originally published on the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem website. Please click here to read the full text.
